Florida Library Director Fired after Critical Audit
Florida Library Director Fired after Critical Audit
Following an audit that was critical of her management and leadership, the director of the Lee County (Fla.) Library System was fired November 28. Assistant County Manager Pete Winton said in the November 30 Bonita Daily News that Cynthia N. Cobb was dismissed after refusing to resign.
The newspaper said that the audit, conducted by the Clerk of Courts office and released October 31, blamed management for low employee morale and high turnover. A November 21 memo Winton wrote for Cobb’s personnel file also cites concerns over morale and turnover, as well as problems with hiring and promotion, and dissatisfaction with the handling of staff grievances.
“These deficiencies are serious and indicate a lack of performance that will result in a pay reduction under the county’s performance pay system of compensation,” the memo said. “These deficiencies also are an indicator that the current management and leadership of the system is not getting the job done and may not be able to take the system to where it needs to be.”
The Fort Myers News-Press reported November 30 that Cobb’s difficulties with personnel and management issues first surfaced in a 2001 audit. Afterward, the county paid over $17,000 for a consultant to improve communication between library management and staff. The News-Press also noted that the communities of Sanibel Island and Bonita Springs have recently taken steps to secede from the library system.
Winton wouldn’t comment to American Libraries on Cobb’s dismissal, but he said the city would probably hire a recruiter to conduct a national search for her replacement. Winton added that he would be assuming management of the library until the position is filled.
American Libraries was unable to reach Cobb for comment.
Posted December 5, 2005.
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